It's our weekly news roundup.

New York State lawmakers are working to address a volunteer firefighter shortage. According to WXXI's Capitol Bureau reporter Samuel King, the number of volunteer firefighters in the state has dropped by a third since the early 2000s. King joins us to explore proposed legislation that would pay volunteers stipends.

Then, as WXXI's Racquel Stephen reports, Eastman Dental has received a grant to help train its residents on how to better treat patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities and certain medical conditions. She explains the goals and the expected benefits of the training. We end the week with a conversation about music — Rochester music, to be specific.

The Rochester Music Hall of Fame is gearing up to welcome its newest class of inductees. We talk with the organization's president and one of the inductees about this year's event and about how the Hall plans to address changes in the music industry.

Our guests:

• Samuel King, Capitol News Bureau reporter for the New York Public News Network
• Racquel Stephen, health, equity, and community reporter and producer for WXXI News
• Ryan Kelly, dental patient
• Diane Kelly, parent
• Charissa Moll, parent and director of customized support at Heritage Christian Services
• Jack Whittier, president of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame
• Pat La Barbera, jazz saxophonist, educator, and member of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame Class of 2026

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Pope Leo XIV says he is not afraid of the Trump administration. That statement followed a series of public criticisms from the president and vice president.

President Trump bashed Pope Leo over issues like war and crime. Vice President Vance claimed that the pope does not understand Just War Theory.

But Pope Leo has remained steady, saying that he will speak truth wherever he goes. It's a strange time for American Catholics.

Our guests discuss it. In studio:

• Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div., director and university chaplain in the Center for Spirituality at Nazareth University
• Patricia Schoelles, Ph.D., moral theologian and director of mission integration for the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

---

Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Education advocates say student success is on the line as they push New York lawmakers to include funding for a specialized tutoring program in the state budget. Students who receive high-impact tutoring, or HIT, meet in small groups with professionally trained tutors during school hours. Research shows HIT is more effective than standard tutoring models, and students who dedicate three to 15 months to HIT can see a 30% increase in reading proficiency. This hour, our guests explain what HIT is, how it works, why it works, and why they think it could be a game changer in high-needs districts. Our guests:

• Ashara Baker, parent advocate
• Jacquelyn Martell, executive director of Education Reform Now New York
• Yvette Russell, chief strategy officer for Read Alliance

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

---

Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.